…but I don’t know if any of us are truly braced for the bold opinions expressed by the New York Sun’s John Hollinger (Western Conference) or Hard Wood’s Steve Kerr.
OK, maybe we can handle Hollinger’s.
How big a death wish must one possess to attend a Rockets/Magic exhibition and yell racist abuse at Dikembe Mutombo?
The New York Post’s Marc Berman on a truly difficult job — selling Knicks tickets.
The 23-59 Team Titanic disaster and subsequent sloppy Larry Brown firing has resulted in waves of season-ticket holders to cancel, at least for this season until Isiah Thomas proves the league’s most expensive roster can actually post victories and not set payroll records.
The Post has learned the season-ticket base has dropped a significant 15 percent from last season’s opening-night total – which includes full and partial plans. And a source connected to the Garden said the final full season-ticket plan tally could be the lowest in 20 years, dating to the season before the Patrick Ewing Era began.
Knicks brass are fully expecting a sellout for their Garden opener Nov. 4 vs. the Pacers, as they said only limited tickets are available. The Knicks can’t remember the last time they did not sell out their home opener.
As policy after non-playoff years, Knicks owner James Dolan did not raise ticket prices, though they’ve led the league in average ticket price for years (now about $82). And they gave their season-ticket base softer deadlines to renew as courtesy, moving it back to late August from July 1.
They also have been offering a ton of extras to the loyal fans who will return despite the Knicks not making the playoffs four of the last five seasons.
Subscribers are receiving a piece of the Garden floor from the two championship seasons of 1969-70 and 1972-73, autographed by Knicks legends.
Not that anyone from MSG would be less than truthful, but I invite one and all to go to ticketmaster.com and see for yourselves just how “limited” seats are for the Knickerbockers’ home opener. As of yesterday, you could still purchase a ticket in section 68.